"Most opposition figures, including those from the Free Syrian Army (FSA), are oriented towards outside forces and the fall of the Assad regime."

"They call for the physical liquidation of President Assad and his family members, as well as representatives of religious and confessional minorities whom they describe as 'heretics.' "

Elements in Rome hope fruitful discussion will be prelude for a late December Cairo conference. Some see a chance to open dialogue between Assad and moderate opposition forces wanting peace.

On December 16, SANA quoted Nasrallah saying:

"Whoever thinks that the armed opposition in Syria is capable of resolving things militarily on the ground is mistaken.

Insurgents can't emerge victorious, he added. Western nations lured Al Qaeda and other extremist fighters to Syria. They sent them on a fool's errand.

"I warned Al-Qaida. The Americans and the European countries and Arab and Islamic countries have set a trap for you in Syria, and opened for you a battlefield so you come from across the world to be killed and to kill each other."

Days earlier, Russia denied one of its senior diplomats said Assad is losing control of his country.

"Iran considers Israel as the prime suspect in the field of possessing nuclear weapons and not abiding by the NPT. The international community should exert pressure on the Zionist regime to join the NPT," he added.

On December 17, Haaretz/Reuters headlined "Iran FM: Tehran, world powers must end impasse over nuclear program," saying:

FM Ali Akbar Salehi said both sides "reached a conclusion that they must exit the current stalemate." More talks are needed. Serious ones. He expects them. He's not sure when.

Tehran alone is called threatening. Israel's menace is ignored. So are Iran's peaceful intentions. Having the ability to produce bomb-related material falls way short of proving intent. DF and the Journal left that unexplained.

A Final Comment

Over the weekend, reports said Pentagon authorities quietly recalled the USS Eisenhower battle group and USS Iwo Jima Amphibious ready group with 2,000 marines on board.

On December 19, they're expected home in Norfolk, VA. They've been stationed for weeks off Syria's coast. An unnamed flight deck problem was named. Repairs are needed.

One CVN (carrier/fixed wing-vice rotary wings/nuclear) remains in the Gulf.

The USS Nimitz was scheduled to replace the Eisenhower in January. It needs two month's work for flight deck resurfacing. The Roosevelt will be back in service soon. Several months are required to return three carrier groups to the Gulf.

Offensive Patriot missiles expected in place in January will replace sea power capability. Washington also has extensive air power nearby. So do Turkey and Israel. French and British warships have their own.

Pulling US naval power for now may delay US Syrian plans. It's hard knowing for sure. Continued conflict to oust Assad continues. Post-holiday season, what's next may be clearer.

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

The Global Satanic Government's (The CIA) Filthy Dirty Saudi Satan Worshiping Salafist joyfully, Fanatically, Unashamedly, Satanically, Sadistically, and Ritually continue to use Syrian Civilians for Target Practice, while Ritually Decaptitating Syrian Civilians as a Satanic Ritual to Appease their False God Satan with Fiendish Glee, while their Fellow Global Satanic Cult Members The CIA's Satanic Saudi Royals joyfully, Fanatically, Unashamedly, Satanically, Sadistically, and Ritually continue to Attack Muslims in The Gulf Arab States, as well as Loaning US Military Bases so The Global Apostates of Hell From Langley, Virginia (The CIA) can Attack Muslims with Fiendish Glee, not to mention getting Ready Loaning Military Bases so The CIA can use Devil's Drone Attacks on Civilians from Pakistan to North Africa, and of course The CIA's Filthy Dirty Satanic Saudi Royals will only be to happy to be a Part of The CIA's Attack on Iran, while Refueling Airplanes for both The Satan Worshipers without Borders (The CIA) and their Satan Worshiping Sidekicks Pretending to be Jews of Satanyahu's IsraHell in The Attack on Iran, which is to Lead to WW III and Globalthermo Nuclear Armageddon, which is the Real Prize of The Global Satanic Cult and their Satan Worshiping Minions of Evil, The CIA's Filthy Dirty Satanic Saudi Salafist Pretending to be Muslims and The CIA's Dirty Filthy Satanic Saudi Royals also Prending to be Muslims, who are in Fact Loyal to Satan and Hostile to Allah. So while they're worrying about the CIA's Post 9-11 War on Islam Fiscal Cliff in the News, keep in mind that the even Greater Threat is The CIA's Post 9-11 Globalthermo Nuclear Cliff, which will have no bottom save Hell.